Pre-season training: Akwa Starlets player slumps, dies

Last Monday, the  training camp of  Akwa Starlets Football Club was thrown into mourning as one of players of the team slumped and died during an intensive training.

Akwa Starlets Football Club is among the three teams currently on a pre-season tour in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. Information reaching THE INK has it that the player (name withheld) slumped and died on Monday during training at the camp.

The player who was a midfielder in the team is said to have died as a result of too much pressing training. Speaking with THE INK, our source hinted that the player, who hails from Etinan Local Government Area, was afraid of losing his shirt in the team and was over working himself in order to maintain his position in the team following the new roles given by the State Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Hon. Emmanuel Ibah. 

When contacting the Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports on phone, Coach Aniedi Dickson confirmed the develop, saying it’s one of those things.  He noted that ding in the camp is one of the hazard of sport. According to him, “It is one of those things, after the training, he slumped and die. It is the hazard that we have. The player is from Etinan L.G.A.”

The Director said the pre-season training was to prepare the team ahead of the league outside the State to avoid distraction. He however declined comment on the rumour going rounds that the deceased was his cousin. Also, efforts to speak with Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Monday Uko proved abortive.